There was an unexpected stinky visitor to the Optimist All Wheels Park in Blackfalds last week.

A female skunk had become trapped in the bowl Thursday afternoon, unable to make it out due to the sharp incline.

Animal control and experts from the Medicine River Wildlife Centre were dispatched to help rescue the poor critter.

Executive Director at the Medicine River Wildlife Centre Carol Kelly says the animal seemed exhausted and dazed when their skunk expert arrived on the scene.

“We’re not sure what got her so exhausted. Maybe she just got stuck and she was working all night trying to get out of it, maybe she was chased by a dog first and ended up there, it’s really hard to say.”

After making sure the skunk was not injured, the staff at the Wildlife Centre released her safely back into the wild in a green space near the park.

Wildlife Conflict Specialist Gwenevere Marshall used a blanket to gently cover the animal and then eased her into a kennel so she could be released back into the wild.

Kelly says Marshal was lucky enough not to get sprayed while she gently detained the skunk, which is easy to do if you are careful.

“They have fairly poor eyesight so they can be startled easily, so if you do see one, speak quietly and walk away, and there really isn’t an issue. The issue is when you come upon one and startle it and it’s scared, or if you get violent and try to hit it with a broom to chase it away things like that, then you are going to get sprayed.”

Kelly reminds residents that skunks spray their potent scent as a last line of defence, and normally only do it when provoked.

Luckily for users of the All Wheels Park, the skunk never sprayed the bowl, and it remained open for the rest of the day.

Click here to see the video on the town of Blackfalds Facebook page.